BusinessLicensing & RegistrationTaxi licensing
Taxi licensing
Contacting the One Stop Shop in relation to taxi licensing queries
Contact is currently only available via email to
taxiapplication@sefton.gov.uk Please ensure that you make it clear in the email subject line what the enquiry relates to and include any applicable expiry/renewal date (eg. EXP 01.01.22). The Council receives a large volume of emails and in order to prioritise any urgent matters this should be made clear in the subject line so that these can be easily identified. Please note that any phone call you may receive from the One Stop Shop will be on a withheld number.
Do it online
Report an issue with a Sefton taxi ext
Private hire operator letter ext
Related links
Disclosure and Barring Service ext
DVLA ext
British Driving Society ext
DBS Check ext
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Vehicle Licensing
The revised vehicle licensing process is detailed below. Please apply for your renewal licence as early as possible (28 days) before expiry. Processing of renewal vehicle licences may take at least 20 working days and the new licence may take several days to arrive by post. In order to keep the vehicle licence up to date, please apply for your renewal 4 weeks before expiry.
Vehicle Licensing Process
When your licence is due present your vehicle to a testing station to be tested in the normal way.
The testing station will provide you with a vehicle licence application form to complete or you can download one here.
Complete the application form ensuring up to date contact details such as name, address, email and telephone number are included.
Email the One Stop Shop (OSS) attaching a copy of the test certificate, V5, the vehicle insurance and the application form to
taxiapplication@sefton.gov.uk and for all renewals you must indicate in the subject line of the email the expiry date of the license (eg. EXP 01.01.22).
All applications will receive a confirmation email from the OSS when the licence application has been processed.
Owners of vehicles renewing should retain the old plates on the licensed vehicle and drivers should keep the confirmation email from the OSS, available at all times the vehicle is working, as evidence that the vehicle has a current and valid licence.
Owners of new vehicle licence applications should wait until the plates are received and affixed to the vehicle before commencing any work.
The plates will be posted to the address given on your application form.
Please find the licensing handbook here.
[size=150]Face Coverings
Hackney Carriage Drivers and Private Hire Vehicle drivers may refuse entry into their vehicle of a person not wearing a face covering and once in the vehicle, if they consider it necessary and proportionate, the driver can direct that a covering be worn by a passenger failing which they may direct the passenger to disembark the vehicle and if they fail to do so a Constable (not the driver) may remove them from the vehicle.[/size]
Driver Licensing
Driver Renewals
Until further notice and where possible, driver licences will be automatically renewed but you may be invited in to the Bootle One Stop Shop for an appointment in order for an evidence check to be completed. Either way, there is no need check up on progress of your application as staff from the Bootle One Stop Shop will contact you.
Renewal letters will be sent to drivers and confirmation of the date and time of any appointment will be included in the letter. If any driver fails to provide the required evidence during their appointment, a second appointment on the same day may be offered or your licence may be automatically lapsed as temporary licences will no longer be issued.
New Driver Applications
In order to support our Borough’s current taxi drivers we do have a temporary pause on new driver licence applications. This will be reviewed in the middle of January 2022 and an update will be provided to the trade. This page will also be updated.
Applicants for New Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driver licences should download and complete the New Driver Application form. Once complete the application form and related copies of documents should be e-mailed to
taxiapplication@sefton.gov.ukOnce received we will check all documentation and start the process. We will correspond with you by e-mail with the next steps in the application process.
You can find the form here.
Operator Licensing
Any operator wanting to renew their licence (or any application for a new licence) should contact the Council via
taxiapplication@sefton.gov.ukVehicle Screens
Vehicle screens are viewed like any other vehicle modification. If the installation of a screen does not adversely affect the safety or performance of a vehicle then they can be installed. For further advice on vehicle modifications please contact one of our approved testing stations – details of our testers can be found in the handbook.
The current government guidance on screens can be found on the Government website.
Hackney Carriage Plate Owners
If any Hackney Carriage plate owner wants to put their licence/plate on hold then please contact the One Stop Shop via email
TaxiLicensingadmin-Bootleoss@sefton.gov.uk with your request.
VRQ Level 2 Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire
The Council is establishing an ‘Accredited Trainer Scheme’ to ensure that qualifications will only be accepted from genuine training organisations that achieve accredited status. The scheme will be open to any training organisation that satisfy the criteria. To apply, please contact us at
taxi_licensing@sefton.gov.ukAttendance at the One Stop Shop
Please note that all attendance at the One Stop Shop (OSS) is strictly by appointment only. Anyone attending without an appointment will not be seen. Any person becoming abusive or aggressive to staff within the OSS will likely be refused a licence.
Please also note that if you are waiting to arrange an appointment then a member of the OSS will contact you on a blocked/withheld/caller unknown number.
Once received we will check all documentation and start the process. We will correspond with you by e-mail with the next steps in the application process
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